Workshops on historic bookbindings

Patmos Workshops on Historic Bindings 2011
29 August -18 September 2011

Deadline for applications:  29 July 2011

Patmos is the island of the Apocalypse, on which the 11th century
Greek Orthodox monastery of Saint John the Theologian is situated
and which preserves one of the most important monastic libraries of
the Christian world, containing a wealth of Greek bound manuscripts,
scrolls, early documents and printed books.

Following the success of the workshops on conservation and historic
bookbinding supported by the conservation studio of the monastery
over the last five years, we are pleased to announce the workshops
for 2011.

With the support of the Elliniki Etairia Society for the Environment
and Cultural Heritage, the workshops are hosted in a traditional
Patmian stately house, which is adjacent to the monastery, offering
the students the experience of unique local architecture. The
classes will include visits to the monastery where we will engage
with material from the monastic library.

Week 1

  Al-Andalus Islamic Binding
  Tutor: Ana Beny
  29 August - 2 September 2011
  Course fee: 500 Euro

    During the settlement of the Arabs in the Iberian Peninsula from
    the beginning of the VIII century up to the end of the XV
    century, Christians, Jews and Muslins shared space. In
    consequence, the interchange and influences between these
    cultures where notable and flourished particularly within the
    territory know as al-Andalus, directly related to the widespread
    production of books, with specific characteristics and
    structures. When the Catholic Kings of Castile and Aragon
    persecuted the Arabs, the majority of these books were burnt or
    damaged, except a small number of them, which were hidden or
    relocated.

    Although few in number, they are a particular typology of
    binding, a cultural cross-fertilisation. The al-Andalus binding
    appears in different collections, in different geographical
    locations around the al-Andalus territory and appear during
    three centuries: the fourteen, fifteen and sixteenth.

    Significant variations are found in regards to the covering
    materials, endband structures, dimensions of text block or
    gatherings, but all of them retain the basic characteristic that
    the cover is not made independently from the text-block. This is
    why these bindings cannot be seen as a typical Islamic case
    binding, on the contrary the way it is constructed has more
    connections to its Coptic ancestors. This sort of hybrid
    structure has a special feature, the technique in which the
    inner spine is constructed, from which we are inspired of a
    conservation binding.

    The course will make an introduction to the history of these
    bookbindings through lectures and slides, following some steps
    from Al-Ishbili and Ibn-Badis treatises to recreate an historic
    envelop model. The student will then study and carry out sewing
    of the text-block, construction of pasteboards, endbands'
    preparation, board attachment through a fabric support, leather
    covering and decoration of the cover, in order to gain an
    understanding of the construction of a typical Al-Andalus
    binding and its variations.

    All the materials needed for making the book will be provided.
    Participants will need to bring basic bookbinding tools. Some
    knowledge of binding would be helpful, but is not essential.

Week 2
Preventive Conservation in Libraries and Archives
Tutor: Robert Child
5-9 September 2011
Course fee: 500 Euro

Libraries and archives are composed of organic materials which are
readily degraded by their environment. Factors such as temperature,
humidity, light, pollution and insect pests can all rapidly reduce
the life span of books and manuscripts.

This course is designed to examine the causes of deterioration in
detail; methods of monitoring the environment in order to understand
the action of the climate around the collections and practical
methods of controlling the environment to minimize damage and
deterioration. Focus will also be given to the practice of anoxic
disinfestations treatments with low-budget facilities.

The course is strongly practically based and will be of value to all
those with a responsibility for historic and artistic collections,
which are composed of manuscripts, books and paper objects, but will
also be of interest to those involved with the conservation of
textiles, wooden objects and other organic materials.

Week 3

  Byzantine-Style Illuminations on Parchment Tutor: Evangelos
  Zournatzis 12-18 September 2011 Course fee: 500 Euro

    During this 7-day course we will be dealing with all aspects of
    drawing, transferring, and painting an illumination on a
    prepared parchment folio. Following the traditional techniques
    of Byzantine illuminators and employing materials, inks and
    pigments as close to the original as possible, the participants
    can expect to become familiar with the process of preparing the
    parchment skins and painting illuminations, such as decorative
    headpieces. Several technical details pertaining to the facture
    of Byzantine illuminations will be discussed, alongside the
    aesthetics that rule their making, the particularities of the
    materials that affect their condition, and the requirements for
    their correct preservation.

    The courses will be given in English. The classes are open to 12
    individuals from the fields of book conservation, bookbinding,
    librarianship or paleography and those interested in the history
    and the making of the book. Since these are not beginner-level
    courses, the participants are expected to be familiar with
    bookbinding terminology and have a basic knowledge of the
    history of book production in the periods under discussion.

    This year we are happy to be able to offer two discounts. A 10%
    discount is offered on the price of the second or third course
    that participants will attend. A 20% discount applies to current
    conservation students following proof of attendance at an
    acknowledged conservation school.

Applications for the courses should be made by email to Nikolas
Sarris <info<-a t->patmosworkshop< . >com> with the subject "Patmos
Bookbinding Workshops 2011". The applicant must state the course(s)
he/she is interested in attending as well as a short biography,
showing relevant experience with the subjects of the courses. For
more information please visit:

    <URL:http://www.patmosworkshop.com/workshop-2011/>

or contact:

    Nikolas Sarris
    Supervisor of the Book Conservation Studio,
    St John Theologian Monastery, Patmos, Greece
    info<-a t->patmosworkshop< . >com


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                  Conservation DistList Instance 24:47
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